← H1535 H1537 →

גִּלְגָּל

𐤂𐤋𐤂𐤋

gilgâl

H1536 noun

SILEX Entry

Root גלל to roll, to make round, to turn

Definition

A wheel, something round or rolling; in most contexts refers to an object shaped like a wheel or is associated with rolling movement. In rare figurative uses, can denote a whirling motion (e.g., a whirlwind or swirling dust). Also refers to the significant geographical location Gilgal, often understood as 'circle (of stones)' in narrative texts.

Semantic Range

wheel, round object, circular formation, movement of rolling, whirlwind, whirling dust, topographic circle (location name), circle of stones (as at Gilgal)

Root / Etymology

From the root ג-ל-ל (גלל), which conveys the idea of rolling, turning, or making round. 'גִּלְגָּל' is a noun formation derived from this root, denoting something that rolls or is round (a wheel), or by extension, a round-shaped site (place name). The etymological sense of 'rolling' informs both the functional and symbolic uses of the word.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, גִּלְגָּל most often names a prominent location—Gilgal—linked with significant events in Israelite history. Archaeologically and contextually, the place name is probably derived from a 'circle' (of stones), echoing the root's meaning of 'rolling' or 'circle.' In a few poetic or prophetic passages, the noun is used concretely for a 'wheel,' sometimes metaphorically for a wheel of fate, or a whirling dust. English translations sometimes narrow the term to a simple 'wheel,' but the breadth of usage in Hebrew includes topographic and symbolic meanings. The rendering 'whirlwind' emerges from the figurative extension of rolling or swirling embedded in the root. Contrast with גָּל (gal, 'heap, wave, billow') or גָּלְגָּל (galgal, a closely related variant), which also draw on circular or rolling movement but have distinct idiomatic applications.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a variation of גַּלְגַּל; {a wheel; by analogy, a whirlwind; also dust (as whirled)}; wheel.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

גלל (g-l-l) — to roll, to make round, to turn

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1530 גַּל rolled heap
H1534 גַּלְגַּל in the rolling-wheel
H1535 גַּלְגַּל his wheels
H1537 גִּלְגָּל in Gilgal
H1538 גֻּלְגֹּלֶת his skull

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1536-01 גִּלְגַּ֧ל gilegal HNcmsc wheel Rolling-Circle 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1536-01 Isaiah 28:28 גִּלְגַּ֧ל gilegal HNcmsc wheel Rolling-Circle
← H1535 Hebrew Lexicon H1537 →